A Sunderland strongman who juggles training with studying has brought home silver at a major national contest.

Matei Trache, 22, from Castletown, deadlifted, carried and pressed his was to second place in the Juniors category at the UK & Ireland National Strongman Competition held in Wolverhampton this month.

Sunderland strongman Matei Trache at a competition earlier this year | Submitted

placeholder image — Sunderland strongman Matei Trache at a competition earlier this year | Submitted

It’s the latest success for the University of Sunderland Sport and Exercise Science student who won the Juniors title at England’s Natural Strongest Man competition in Liverpool earlier this year.

Matei said he was pleased with his latest podium place. “I delivered good performances across multiple, gruelling events, including deadlifts, carries and overhead presses, demanding both raw strength and endurance,” he said.

And next up for the strongman?

“After a short period of rest during which I’m doing my final year of studies, I will start preparing for the European Natural Strongman competition in June - which I’m really looking forward to.”

Matei, second from right, at his latest competition | Submitted

Matei trains at New Level Gym in Pallion under coach Thomas Fisher and he says the camaraderie at the gym has really propelled him to the next level.

Speaking about how he got into the sport, Matei said: “I used to race mountain bikes, but when I went to sixth form I just didn’t have the time to get out on the bike so much but I still wanted to keep fit, so looked at gyms.

“I went to the likes of JD gyms and Pure and just didn’t enjoy it, it’s not what I was looking for. I looked up weightlifting gyms and New Level came up.

“I signed up and had a quick session and all the lads were just dead good craic and so canny. Everyone really roots for you.”

Matei did his first competition two years ago without a coach and has gradually worked his way up the table, with the thanks of his coach.

“Since I started working with Thomas Fisher, it’s been uphill since then,” he said.

Matei has a busy year of competitions ahead and he juggles training with studying, as well as being a trampoline coach at Apollo Gymnastics in Washington.